Akira stared at Mayu in silence.
A white room. Machines. A deep voice speaking of a key element.
Something was off.
— Are you sure it was a vision of the future? he finally asked.
Mayu hesitated, then nodded.
— Yes… but it was different. Normally, my visions are short, like flashes. This one was… clearer. As if I was really there.
Akira tightened his grip on the dagger in his hand.
— And the voice? Do you remember any detail? An accent? A name?
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
She closed her eyes, trying to gather her memories.
Then she murmured:
— "Project A.O."
Akira frowned.
— Project A.O.?
She nodded.
— That’s all I heard.
A shiver ran down Akira’s spine. That name meant nothing to him… but his instincts whispered that he had just stepped into something far more dangerous than a simple assassination contract.
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
— Listen… I’ll be honest. If the Black Lotus is involved, it means there’s money and power at stake. These guys don’t move for nothing.
Mayu clenched her fists.
— Do you think they want to experiment on me?
Akira looked at her.
— Maybe. Or maybe they just want to eliminate you before your visions reveal something they want to hide.
She paled slightly.
— So… what do we do?
Akira thought for a moment. He wasn’t supposed to protect his target. Normally, he tracked, eliminated, and vanished.
But this time…
He wanted answers.
He glanced at the Black Lotus dagger.
— We’re going to find out who put this contract on you.
Mayu's eyes widened.
— You mean… we’re going to attack those who are hunting us?
A faint smile crossed Akira’s face.
— The best defense is an attack.
He slid the dagger into his belt and turned on his heel.
— Let’s move.
— Where to? she asked hesitantly.
He looked back over his shoulder.
— To someone who knows more than we do.
Mayu furrowed her brow.
— Who?
Akira smiled slightly.
— An old friend… or rather, a former informant.
Then he added, more darkly:
— If he's still alive.
